Ghassan Azzi, Sales Director for Africa at Western Digital, has highlighted how artificial intelligence (AI) computing extends beyond traditional cloud and data centres to various end devices.
In his expert opinion piece, “Empowering Smart Transport with AI Embedded Computing and Data Storage,” he stated that for smart devices to evolve and learn, they require access to data and the capacity to store, process, and analyse it efficiently. Embedded AI computing facilitates this by integrating AI capabilities directly into electronic devices, from PCs and mobile gadgets to self-driving cars, industrial automation setups, and robotics.
“With local data storage and processing, smart vehicles enhance their algorithms and functions, reducing reliance on external cloud services,” writes Azzi. This localised strategy boosts vehicle autonomy and ensures the fast availability of critical data for ongoing learning and improvement. The increasing need to store, duplicate, and process data to support such learning surges storage capacity requirements. “Smart vehicles must swiftly retrieve data, especially for road safety features, making low latency essential,” he adds. These vehicles are equipped with sophisticated central processing units (CPUs) and electronic control units (ECUs), which are the ‘brains’ and sensory systems behind rapid data processing and analysis.
“While local storage and processing increase intelligence, preserving data over time is crucial for continuous learning,” Azzi explains. Therefore, a strategic balance must be struck between real-time local processing and long-term cloud storage. This balance enables devices to draw insights from historical data while delivering instant operational output. Ensuring scalability requires prompt and reliable access to substantial data storage. “Car manufacturers must design powerful but compact storage and computing hardware that fits nicely with the vehicle’s interior, turning vehicles into increasingly intelligent, secure, and adaptive devices that can transform transport dynamics,” Azzi emphasises.
“Smart cities operate much like a vast Internet of Things (IoT) ecosystem, where smart vehicles interact seamlessly with other cars and urban infrastructure, like traffic signals,” Azzi notes. In these digitally connected urban areas, smart vehicles are integral to the broader network, enhancing the city’s operational efficiency through data and advanced data storage capabilities.
This advanced vehicle interconnectivity offers invaluable insights for both central and local transportation authorities. “The capability of vehicles to communicate among themselves and with urban infrastructure, like traffic signals, paves the way for synchronised decision-making,” writes Azzi. It allows for the anticipation of traffic peaks, facilitating strategic decisions such as temporarily suspending roadworks to alleviate congestion. Over time, traffic pattern analyses can guide the development of dedicated bus lanes, bicycle paths, and infrastructure improvements where they are most needed.
“Bringing AI technologies into vehicles creates transformative benefits for smart traffic management systems,” Azzi states. With the ability to learn from historical data and adjust to changing conditions, these intelligent vehicles play a key role in creating more streamlined and safer traffic networks. “Data storage is at the core of enabling smart vehicles to harness AI thoroughly for traffic and smart city management,” he continues. It underlies the processes of data maintenance, learning, communication, and overall system dependability, all crucial for the effective and secure functioning of smart transport networks.
“Infusing AI into vehicle technology is the cornerstone of a smart traffic management framework,” Azzi concludes. It leverages data-centric insights and ensures streamlined and efficient communication between vehicles and city infrastructure. However, this shift towards safer, more efficient, and sustainable urban mobility should be anchored on sophisticated storage solutions and technologies.
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Autor(en)/Author(s): Paul Omorogbe
Quelle/Source: Nigerian Tribune, 22.07.2024
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